Habs coach Therrien says P.K. Subban unaffected by racial abuse

Howard Alexander - News Editor

Montreal Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban (76) reacts after getting hit in the face by Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand's stick during the second period of Game 1 in a second-round of a Stanley Cup playoff series in Boston, Thursday, May 1, 2014.

Image Credit: AP Photo/Charles Krupa

May 03, 2014 - 10:41 AM

BOSTON - Canadiens coach Michel Therrien says defenceman P.K. Subban has not been affected by the racial abuse on social media after his winning goal against the Bruins on Thursday night.

"He's got a lot of character, that kid," Therrien said Saturday prior to Game 2 against the Bruins.

Therrien met with Subban, who is black, on Friday night to see how he was feeling and to ensure his player knew he had the team's support.

"But like he said, and from my standpoint too, it's more important that we're here to sell the game, we're here to win a hockey game, we're here to compete," Therrien told reporters.

"We're not here to talk about a few bad people that put some comments on the Internet."

Therrien said Subban, 24, spent part of Friday with his family.

Both the Bruins and Canadiens have decried the racial abuse. So have the mayors of the two cities.

Montreal Canadiens' P.K. Subban follows through on his game-winning goal in the second overtime period against the Boston Bruins in Game 1 of an NHL hockey second-round playoff series in Boston, Thursday, May 1, 2014. The Canadiens won 4-3.

OPINION Editor, This is a busy time of year, but I find it’s also a time of reflection, particularly as January marks the end of my two-year term as Chair and my 10 years serving on the Board of Interior